The 16-year-old soccer player, Andani “Andile” Kutama, who had collapsed and tragically passed away during a football match in Durban earlier this month, was buried at Tshiendeulu-Tshavhakolo on Friday night.

The formal ceremony, however, was held on Saturday at Tshikhwarani village.

A visibly upset family representative, Vhamusanda Vho-Ntanagnedzeni Kutama, told mourners that the family had accepted the loss, although it was difficult for them to cope. "It will be very difficult for us to live without him. God has done His will and there is nothing we can do to reverse the situation. We are devastated, but the encouragement we received from the South African Football Association (Safa) and the South African Schools Football Association (Sasfa) gave us the courage to continue with life,” he added.

During the ceremony, the president of Safa, Mr Kirsten Nematandani, said the soccer fraternity had suffered a setback after losing the young player, who was still to show his skills. “We acknowledge his contribution to soccer and we thank God for giving him to us, even if it was for only a short period,” Nematandani said. He added that the whole soccer fraternity was saddened by the tragic loss of a talented player, who paid the ultimate price for his love of football.

He promised that Safa would continue to work towards providing better and safer playing conditions.

The president of Sasfa, Mr Mandla “Shoes Mazibuko, said they were “in great pain" after losing one of their favourite young soccer players. The head coach of Benny’s Care, Mr Justice Matloga, said that although the academy accepted what had happened, it would be difficult to forget that death had robbed the institution of a skilful young player.